Arthur Charles Tinney

Art made it to 93 – amazing since he had knocked on death's door so many times. Retired 3 times! 2 open heart surgeries, a pacemaker, stents and a long list of meds will do that to you. He always knew when to pull back, reduce stress and research up a lifestyle change.

To some he was a strange guy and to others a wonderfully flamboyant and witty guy. At one time the neighbors thought they had a cult member who danced naked around moonlit fires waving bloody cow organs. Actually, he had just waxed eloquent and posted a poetic blurb about druids and solstice up on the local mailbox.

He was the picture of innocence when “liberating” library books because they were a-mouldering on shelves. Hearty respect for the written word. He had a marvelous dry wit. However, some of it went right over our heads. These English majors are an odd bunch with 8” thick dictionaries that they have even read AND retained! He was an avid linguist adding French, Greek and Arabic to his huge command of English. He would leave little post-it in Arabic all over his house. “This means fridge”. Looked like beansprouts to us.

Art was on an eternal quest for knowledge. In there like a dirty shirt. Nothing was impossible – with his Can Do attitude. He would give any project 110% of his time with research, enthusiasm and passion. AND to hell with deportment. Be yourself. Embarrassed? Never.

There was always something going on in his head and home. Never considered himself to be fully grown up anyways. Great big wonderful world out there and lots to learn. Mother allowed all the craziness and enjoyed the lack of boredom.

Teaching was Art's one official profession that started at age 17 (fart-smeller was an early grad). He delighted in taking numerous adhoc adventures into the great outdoors. The fact that he took his students out of their face-forward all-in-a-row desks often had admin up in arms. We are talking about the 1960's now.

Art hauled his wife ( Jean Menzies) through numerous jobs in small towns like Kaslo, Creston, Pemberton, Port Alberni, Alert Bay, Hendrix Lake, Mayne Island, Woss, 5 kids were added along the way. He finally settled in Black Creek for retirement (the last big move). Moving was obviously my mother's 2nd greatest fear. 1st was losing him.

Music intrudes into this particular biography. Choirmaster, music teacher, director, jazz jammer, you name it. Our home was filled with it and all its paraphernalia. One time at home, we were having a family row only to become aware of dad plunking loudly away on the piano “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love”. That was his subtleness shining through.

He also had a knack for getting people to trust him and pour out their troubles (Dr. Tinney – major in Caring). He believed everyone had a purpose and a right to be heard. They mattered. He listened intensely. He was the one always fighting for the underdog. A shirt off your back kind of guy who filled our home with people he “found”.

We, the next generation hope Art is now on a great adventure through the cosmos with Jean in tow and both singing joyously. Our lives are infinitely richer and vastly more FUN for having known him and shared parts of his path through life.

Here's to you pops. X0

Many thanks to all the staff and caregivers of Glacier View Lodge, CV Seniors Village and especially to Dr. Reggler who was warm and direct; a fierce advocate for his patient.